BLYTHE, Calif – President John Ulmer called yesterday's Tuesday night Palo Verde Board of Education meeting to order at 6:00 p.m., noting that Board member Alfonso Hernandez was unable to attend. He further stated that there was "nothing to report" on issues of litigation, negotiations and personnel from the previous closed session.

Rather than segue into the traditional Pledge of Allegiance, President Ulmer announced a change in procedure. Rather, he stated, each board member would be responsible for a patriotic presentation in rotation. With that, he called on Ms. Jamie Mullion for her presentation. Ms. Mullion had invited a dozen 8th graders from Ruth Brown elementary school to make individual informational talks with the aid of a slide projector.

Under Programs and Presentations the High School Principal, Ms. Brandy Cox, invited Miss Elizabeth Rizotto for an award from the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists. Appleby Principal presented 8th grader Chad Chute as Elementary Student of the Month.

District Auditors Vavrinek, Trine and Day gave a presentation of the audit in which three main areas were looked at and found no exceptions.

Business Director Val Braden spoke of the 1st Interim report which showed that we started this year with $34.3 million in the bank. Expenses are up with 11 new positions added this year as well as the addition of administrative salary increases. The annual CBEDS nose-count found the ADA (average daily attendance) standing at 3,097 registered students. Actual bodies in the seats however, came out much lower. Val also announced the addition of 19 now jobs made up of aides and classified personnel.

During the Open Hearing session parent, Jeff Phipps came to the mic to complain of how his learning-disabled student was finally identified as such, only by another district and a 3-year process. He felt that needed educational time was wasted and the process of testing needs to be streamlined.

Kay Smith, Secretary of the Blythe Cancer Resource Center, addressed the Board – thanking them for the use of the High School Stadium and thanked Val Braden specifically for his efforts to make sure "the trains ran on time." An amount of $52,000 was raised, which will stay in the City of Blythe to assist local cancer patients.

There was a lack of Board Member reports, However Dr. Guith ruminated on the excellent behavior and play of the football team recently, even though they lost.

Charles Bush, Superintendent, spoke on recent activities with the aid of Brandy Cox and segued into other items of interest.

With that, President Ulmer ran the consent and action items by the board for approval. The next gathering of the PVUSD Board of Trustees will happen on Tuesday, December 6 with the closed session at 5:00 p.m. and open session at 6:00 p.m.